Now everyone knows about the FGCU Men's Basketball Team. When they were coached by Andy Enfield at the time, they were mainly known for their Cinderella Story in the 2013 NCAA National Tournament. This historic Cinderella Story is still today known as Dunk City. You're probably wondering why this was their Cinderella Story and where the name came from. During the 2012-13 season, FGCU didn't seem like the fit competitors to be in the NCAA Tournament, but after they beat Mercer University, who was in the A-Sun Conference at the time, they won by a score of 88-75 in the A-Sun Conference Tournament Finals and won an automatic bid in NCAA National Tournament and soon things became a little more interesting. Entering into the tournament as the #15 seed in the South Region part of the tournament, the first team they played in their part of this story was Georgetown. Georgetown was the #2 seed going into the tournament and at first glance, it looked like they would easily beat FGCU because they were not a top seed and looked like one of the easiest teams to beat, but the old saying still comes into play is "Looks can be deceiving" or in this case "Teams can be deceiving." Things seemed in control for Georgetown at first, but they were losing in the 1st half 24-22. After a 21-2 scoring run in the 2nd half, FGCU had control of the upper hand and moved on to the 2nd round by the score of 78-68 and it was thanks to top scorers Sherwood Brown (24 points) and Bernard Thompson (23 points). FGCU made history as the 7th #15 seed to advance in the NCAA Tournament. The next team they played was the #7 seed, San Diego State University (SDSU), who played and beat #10 seed Oklahoma University by the score of 70-55 in the 1st round. It seemed like yet again, the Cinderella Story would now stop there, but it didn't. Thanks to another impressive scoring game each from Sherwood Brown (17 points) and Bernard Thompson (23 points), FGCU beat the San Diego State 81-71 to advance to the Sweet 16 and would play #3 seed Florida after they beat #11 seed Minnesota 78-64, but FGCU would fall to Florida by the score of 62-50. Although they didn't advance anymore, that Cinderella Story known as Dunk City was never forgotten. A few years later, it became so popular that the FGCU Men's Basketball Team got an ESPY Award in the category for Best Upset and it still lives up to that historic moment. The Men's Basketball team have the same conference teams like all the other sports: USC Upstate, Lipscomb, Kennesaw State, North Florida, Jacksonville, NJIT, and Stetson.
For this season, the Eagles are led by current coach Joe Dooley, who is in his 3rd season with FGCU and currently there are 2 seniors on the team that were both redshirts, but still have eligibility to play and they are Julian Debose and Filip Cvjeticanin.
For someone with experience like Julian Debose, there is no comparison. A 6'4" guard from Washington, D.C., Debose's skills are probably as smooth as his attire and choice of clothing style. Before he came to FGCU, he was a transfer player from Rice University in the C-USA Conference and during his freshman year, he had a struggle playing with the Owls, scoring 3.7 points per game, and grabbing 1.5 rebounds per game. When he reached his sophomore year, Debose got better and increased his points per game from 3.7 to 10.4 and rebounds from 1.5 to 4.3. After his time at Rice, Debose transferred to FGCU following the 2012-13 season, but he had to redshirt the whole 2013-14 season due to the NCAA transfer regulations. When junior year hit, Debose caught fire scoring 11.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, and 1.4 apg. His success was so good that he was named A-Sun Conference Newcomer of the Week and had 933 minutes, which was the 3rd longest amount of minutes for any FGCU Men's Basketball Player, but his success didn't stop there though. Prior to this year, Debose participated in the 2015 Summer World University Games representing The United States averaging 4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 10.8 minutes per contest. The USA won the World University Games and Debose earned a gold medal as a member of the US team. Debose is definitely a great asset to the team.
When I mentioned in the beginning about Dunk City, there is someone that is still a part of it. He is last member of great name and brings a lot of experience as a 3 point specialist and that guy is Filip Cvjeticanin. Filip is a 6'9" forward from Zagreb, Croatia and is considered to be the lone wolf and the last active member of Dunk City. Filip is very well know for having basketball blood in his family because of his father, Danko Cvjeticanin. His father was a 2x Silver medalist for the Yugoslavian National Olympic Team and Croatian National Olympic Team earning a silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea for Yugoslavia and in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain for Croatia. An intersting fact about Filip's dad is that he played on the same Croatian Olympic basketball team with former Chicago Bulls, Toni Kukoč and played against the United States Olympic Gold Medal winners which included Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and the legendary Michael Jordan. During his freshman year at FGCU, Filip avraged 6.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg and finished 2nd in the A-Sun in shooting percentage with 43%. During his Sophomore year, although he was part of Dunk City, his ppg dropped to 3.6 ppg, but his rebounding went up from 1.8 to 2.1. Junior year hit for Filip and his ppg and rpg increased again (6.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg) and in 25 games, he hit at least one 3 pointer in the game, 2 in 17 games and 3 or more in 7 games. It was so successful that he finished 6th all-time with 139 3-pointers made for FGCU. Unfortunately, he had to medical redshirt the whole 2014-15 season because he had to have back surgery, but he was grateful that he had one more year of eligibility to play this season. For Filip, he will dominate by any means as a 3 point specialist and not let his injury return and plague him.
For Cvjeticanin and Debose being the only 2 seniors on the team, they will have plenty of backup to help them out. This year, the team have 3 returning juniors, 1 returning sophomore, 3 transfers (2 juniors and 2 sophomores), 3 true freshman, and 4 walk-on players (2 juniors and 2 freshman).
The 3 returning juniors to start the season off well are pretty good for standards for the team this year: Marc-Eddy Norelia (forward), Demetris Morant (forward) and Brian Greene Jr. (guard).
For someone who considers himself to be the"ladies man", Marc-Eddy Norelia is your best pick for that. Norelia is a 6'8" forward from Orlando, Florida and he has the hot hands on the court. Before coming to FGCU, Marc played for Tulane University in New Orleans of the American Athletic Conference, but only during his freshman year. It was not a successful year for him playing only 9 games. After transferring to FGCU, Marc had to utilize as a redshirt during the year of Dunk City, but when his sophomore year hit, things really changed big time for him, playing all 33 games and scoring 8.3 ppg and snagging 5.2 rpg. Marc will earning himself a nickname real soon for his junior year to make impact for the team.
For someone that doesn't start his college basketball career off good and then turn it around, Demetris Morant is that guy to do so. A 6'9" forward from Miami, Florida, Demetris shows that way of turning his career around. For his freshman year, he first started at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas in the in the Mountain West Conference, but it was not the best year for him to start there. After scoring less than a point per game in nine games, Demetris transfered to FGCU and was granted a waiver to play for the Eagles immediately for the 2014 season. During his sophomore year, Morant career changed instantly. It was a little slow at first because he finished with 4.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg, his playing time got better. This year it will change more than ever for him.
For someone that was an 4th Team All-State Class 4A as a senior, First-Team All Area and Team MVP for Thorton Township High School and played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, that guy that shows it would be Brian Greene Jr. Greene, a 6'3" guard from Chicago, Illinois, has the skills to make impact. Before coming to FGCU his sophomore year, Brian originally started at the Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference. Although he started 2 of the 27 games he played, Brian was at a very slow start scoring only 3 ppg for the Tigers his freshman year. It didn't work out very well for him at all. Greene transferred to FGCU, but had to redshirt his sophomore year in the summer of 2013 because of the NCAA Transfer rules. When his sophomore year came, it was not his best year there too only averaging 1 ppg that season. Greene is still young, but he will make sure to turn things around for this season.
Surprisingly this year, there is only one returning sophomore for FGCU and that is Christian Terrell. Terrell, a 6'5" guard from Jacksonville, Florida can really bring impact as a backup 3 point specialist for Filip when he needs a rest. As a freshman last season, Christian, although scoring 3.3 ppg and grabbing 1.6 rpg, it was still good enough to earn him a spot for the A-Sun Conference All-Freshman Team and was the first FGCU selection since Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer were selected during the 2011-12 season. With his hot shots, Christian will be making sure to backup Cvjeticanin whenever he's needed.
There are some players that transfer to help FGCU or any other universities out, but there are times when they cannot play instantly or immediately because of the NCAA Transfer rules where it states that because the athlete transferred late into the season or into the semester, they must sit out the entire basketball season or a portion of it unless they are granted a waiver by the NCAA to let them play immediately for the season. Although FGCU has some players that have to sit out, they still managed to land 4 transfers to help them out: Kevin Mickle (sophomore forward), Antravious Simmons (sophomore forward), Brandon Goodwin (junior guard) and Patson Siame (junior forward).
Kevin Mickle is certainly in good use to help add depth to the team in any way. A 6'7" forward from Brooklyn, New York, Mickle can certainly bring the depth to the team. Before coming to FGCU, he was first about to start for Central Connecticut State of the Northeast Conference, but he had to redshirt for the entire season. Instead of waiting for that, Mickle decided to transfer to NJCAA (National Junior College Atheltic Association) Region 8 Broward College, an FCSAA (Florida State College Activities Association) junior college in Ft Lauderdale, Florida for the Southern Conference. Although it was a difficult change to make, Mickle managed to dominate there. During his sophomore year, he managed to average a double-double per game with 13.6 ppg and 9.5 rpg. During that time, Mickle managed to help lead the Seahawks to a 22-8 record while earning NJCAA Region 8 Player of the Week in January, helping rank the Seahawks as No. 3 in the NJCAA Region 8 Poll, and finishing 10th in the nation with 4.2 offensive rebounds per game. Kevin is certainly someone that brings good use and height to the team.
Another sophomore transfer player to play for the team is Antravious Simmons. Antravious is a 6'9" 250 pound forward from Miami, Florida and certainly has the body to box out opposing big men and it shows. You might think that Simmons has more physic to be a football player than a basketball player and arguably it's true. he originally played offensive line in high school before being a basketball player to transform his body better to play basketball. As a freshman for VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) of the Atlantic 10 Conference, he had to redshirt to transform his body. When freshman year came, Simmons was able to play in 3 games for VCU, but that he decided to transfer to FGCU afterwards. Now he wasn't expected to be eligible to play, but the NCAA gave him a waiver 24 hours before the season started. For someone like him, he was very lucky to play for FGCU.
The most common transfer players would mainly be from a JUCO school, but for Brandon Goodwin, it's different. Goodwin is a 6'2" guard from Norcross, Georgia, which is about 30 minutes away from Atlanta. before coming to FGCU this season, he first played at the University of Central Florida (UCF) of the American Athletic Conference. When he started his freshman year there, Brandon had a small struggle in 28 games scoring only 3 ppg and snagging 1.9 rpg and 1.8 apg. Of course for most freshman players, it's not uncommon to get those jitters. Then when sophomore year hit for Brandon, things turned around for him. He managed to scoring 10.2 ppg, dishing 4.2 apg and a team-leading 1.9 spg. Currently this season he is not eligible to play because of the NCAA Transfer Rules, but he will make great strides for next season with FGCU.
The last transfer player here is another junior and when you meet Patson Siame face to face, he might at look intimidating because of his height, but he is a really a nice guy once you talk to him. Patson is a 6'11" forward from Luanshya, Zambia and is one of two foreigners on the team with Filip. Before transferring to FGCU, he first started playing for Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in the West Coast Conference. He didn't play his freshman year because he was serving in residence, but when his sophomore year hit, Patson finally saw some action. He averaged 5.7 ppg and 4 rpg last season that set the bar in his basketball career. Currently at the moment, Patson is redshirting because of the NCAA Transfer Rules, but once you see on the court he will dominate.
The next group of underclassmen are the true freshman on the team: Zach Johnson (guard), Reggie Reid (guard) and Rayjon Tucker (guard)
You might think that someone like Zach Johnson would not be fit choice for FGCU, but the saying that comes into play again "Looks can be deceiving". a 6'2" guard from Miami, Florida, Johnson can overcome many odds that fit the eye. He was originally suppose to play the start of his freshman year at FGCU, but had to medical redshirt, but before coming to FGCU, he played in high school for Norland High School in Miami. In RMF Magazine, he was rated as the no. 1 prospect in South Florida, no.8 prospect in Florida and was a 4 star recruit in the same outlet and the numbers show. During his senior year in high school, Zach averaged 14.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.9 rpg and 2.2 spg and those numbers were so good that he was named FHSAA 6A All-State Team and the State Final 4 MVP and was a champion in 2013. This year, Zach will make plenty of impact for the team.
With just as much experience as Johnson, Reggie Reid is another player that is in good use for the team. A 5'11" guard from Harlem, Georgia, Reggie has experience to prove that he can make it worth while. As a player for Harlem High School, Reggie would nearly average a triple-double per game of 22 ppg, 9 rpg and 8.5 apg. As for awards with the team, he won the Region 3-AA Player of the year and a 2x Colombia County Player of the Year in Georgia during his freshman and sophomore years and was also selected as a Class 2A First Team All-State Selection. with those numbers, they will add up well for this year for Reggie.
From what I heard about this player is he is one of the best choices that FGCU has recruited and that is Rayjon Tucker. Rayjon is a 6'5" guard from Charlotte, North Carolina and his credentials show it. In the USA Today, he was named the no. 1 sleeper in the nation his senior year for early signing. FGCU was one of his choices he made for college basketball as well as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Baylor and South Carolina. As a player for Northside Christian Academy, Rayjon average 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks per game. He was also rated as a 4-Star recruit and a top 100 player in the nation during his senior year and led Northside to a state championship during his junior year. One interesting fact about Rayjon is his cousin, Jia Perkins, currently plays in the WNBA for San Antonio Stars; basically like Filip, basketball is in his blood too and he sure to spread that when he plays this year.
You think that the blog would end here, but there are other players that may have not played for a college basketball team. Those players would be mainly trying out for the team as a walk-on. there are 4 walk-on players that have tried out and made the team: Josh Ko (junior guard), Maxx Bleecher (freshman guard), Alvin Cunningham (junior guard) and Dolan Mahoney (freshman guard).
Josh Ko is the first walk-on to talk about. He is a 6'1" guard from Kailua, Hawaii. Before coming to FGCU, he actually played for the University of Pittsburgh of the Atlantic Coast Conference his freshman and sophomore years, although he only played a total of 15 games those 2 years. For this season, he has to redshirt due to the NCAA Transfer Rules, but will have 2 years of eligibility starting next year. I'll look forward to seeing him play next season and hopefully with him too.
Maxx Bleecher would also not seem like a fit for FGCU's Men's Basketball team, but that's where you wrong. A 6'2" guard from Boca Raton, Florida, Maxx played for West Boca Raton High School under head coach Steve Graves. During his senior year, Maxx led Palm Beach County in scoring averaging 24.9 ppg and scored 1000+ points overall. Those stats were so phenomenal that it earned him a selection for All-Palm Beach County First Team and All-Area Honorable Mention. Currently this season, he is eligible to play and does not have to redshirt this season and Maxx will make great strides for the team.
When I mentioned in the beginning about Dunk City, there is someone that is still a part of it. He is last member of great name and brings a lot of experience as a 3 point specialist and that guy is Filip Cvjeticanin. Filip is a 6'9" forward from Zagreb, Croatia and is considered to be the lone wolf and the last active member of Dunk City. Filip is very well know for having basketball blood in his family because of his father, Danko Cvjeticanin. His father was a 2x Silver medalist for the Yugoslavian National Olympic Team and Croatian National Olympic Team earning a silver medal in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea for Yugoslavia and in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain for Croatia. An intersting fact about Filip's dad is that he played on the same Croatian Olympic basketball team with former Chicago Bulls, Toni Kukoč and played against the United States Olympic Gold Medal winners which included Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and the legendary Michael Jordan. During his freshman year at FGCU, Filip avraged 6.8 ppg and 1.8 rpg and finished 2nd in the A-Sun in shooting percentage with 43%. During his Sophomore year, although he was part of Dunk City, his ppg dropped to 3.6 ppg, but his rebounding went up from 1.8 to 2.1. Junior year hit for Filip and his ppg and rpg increased again (6.8 ppg and 2.7 rpg) and in 25 games, he hit at least one 3 pointer in the game, 2 in 17 games and 3 or more in 7 games. It was so successful that he finished 6th all-time with 139 3-pointers made for FGCU. Unfortunately, he had to medical redshirt the whole 2014-15 season because he had to have back surgery, but he was grateful that he had one more year of eligibility to play this season. For Filip, he will dominate by any means as a 3 point specialist and not let his injury return and plague him.
For Cvjeticanin and Debose being the only 2 seniors on the team, they will have plenty of backup to help them out. This year, the team have 3 returning juniors, 1 returning sophomore, 3 transfers (2 juniors and 2 sophomores), 3 true freshman, and 4 walk-on players (2 juniors and 2 freshman).
The 3 returning juniors to start the season off well are pretty good for standards for the team this year: Marc-Eddy Norelia (forward), Demetris Morant (forward) and Brian Greene Jr. (guard).
For someone who considers himself to be the"ladies man", Marc-Eddy Norelia is your best pick for that. Norelia is a 6'8" forward from Orlando, Florida and he has the hot hands on the court. Before coming to FGCU, Marc played for Tulane University in New Orleans of the American Athletic Conference, but only during his freshman year. It was not a successful year for him playing only 9 games. After transferring to FGCU, Marc had to utilize as a redshirt during the year of Dunk City, but when his sophomore year hit, things really changed big time for him, playing all 33 games and scoring 8.3 ppg and snagging 5.2 rpg. Marc will earning himself a nickname real soon for his junior year to make impact for the team.
For someone that doesn't start his college basketball career off good and then turn it around, Demetris Morant is that guy to do so. A 6'9" forward from Miami, Florida, Demetris shows that way of turning his career around. For his freshman year, he first started at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas in the in the Mountain West Conference, but it was not the best year for him to start there. After scoring less than a point per game in nine games, Demetris transfered to FGCU and was granted a waiver to play for the Eagles immediately for the 2014 season. During his sophomore year, Morant career changed instantly. It was a little slow at first because he finished with 4.5 ppg and 4.4 rpg, his playing time got better. This year it will change more than ever for him.
For someone that was an 4th Team All-State Class 4A as a senior, First-Team All Area and Team MVP for Thorton Township High School and played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, that guy that shows it would be Brian Greene Jr. Greene, a 6'3" guard from Chicago, Illinois, has the skills to make impact. Before coming to FGCU his sophomore year, Brian originally started at the Auburn University in the Southeastern Conference. Although he started 2 of the 27 games he played, Brian was at a very slow start scoring only 3 ppg for the Tigers his freshman year. It didn't work out very well for him at all. Greene transferred to FGCU, but had to redshirt his sophomore year in the summer of 2013 because of the NCAA Transfer rules. When his sophomore year came, it was not his best year there too only averaging 1 ppg that season. Greene is still young, but he will make sure to turn things around for this season.
Surprisingly this year, there is only one returning sophomore for FGCU and that is Christian Terrell. Terrell, a 6'5" guard from Jacksonville, Florida can really bring impact as a backup 3 point specialist for Filip when he needs a rest. As a freshman last season, Christian, although scoring 3.3 ppg and grabbing 1.6 rpg, it was still good enough to earn him a spot for the A-Sun Conference All-Freshman Team and was the first FGCU selection since Bernard Thompson and Brett Comer were selected during the 2011-12 season. With his hot shots, Christian will be making sure to backup Cvjeticanin whenever he's needed.
There are some players that transfer to help FGCU or any other universities out, but there are times when they cannot play instantly or immediately because of the NCAA Transfer rules where it states that because the athlete transferred late into the season or into the semester, they must sit out the entire basketball season or a portion of it unless they are granted a waiver by the NCAA to let them play immediately for the season. Although FGCU has some players that have to sit out, they still managed to land 4 transfers to help them out: Kevin Mickle (sophomore forward), Antravious Simmons (sophomore forward), Brandon Goodwin (junior guard) and Patson Siame (junior forward).
Kevin Mickle is certainly in good use to help add depth to the team in any way. A 6'7" forward from Brooklyn, New York, Mickle can certainly bring the depth to the team. Before coming to FGCU, he was first about to start for Central Connecticut State of the Northeast Conference, but he had to redshirt for the entire season. Instead of waiting for that, Mickle decided to transfer to NJCAA (National Junior College Atheltic Association) Region 8 Broward College, an FCSAA (Florida State College Activities Association) junior college in Ft Lauderdale, Florida for the Southern Conference. Although it was a difficult change to make, Mickle managed to dominate there. During his sophomore year, he managed to average a double-double per game with 13.6 ppg and 9.5 rpg. During that time, Mickle managed to help lead the Seahawks to a 22-8 record while earning NJCAA Region 8 Player of the Week in January, helping rank the Seahawks as No. 3 in the NJCAA Region 8 Poll, and finishing 10th in the nation with 4.2 offensive rebounds per game. Kevin is certainly someone that brings good use and height to the team.
Another sophomore transfer player to play for the team is Antravious Simmons. Antravious is a 6'9" 250 pound forward from Miami, Florida and certainly has the body to box out opposing big men and it shows. You might think that Simmons has more physic to be a football player than a basketball player and arguably it's true. he originally played offensive line in high school before being a basketball player to transform his body better to play basketball. As a freshman for VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) of the Atlantic 10 Conference, he had to redshirt to transform his body. When freshman year came, Simmons was able to play in 3 games for VCU, but that he decided to transfer to FGCU afterwards. Now he wasn't expected to be eligible to play, but the NCAA gave him a waiver 24 hours before the season started. For someone like him, he was very lucky to play for FGCU.
The most common transfer players would mainly be from a JUCO school, but for Brandon Goodwin, it's different. Goodwin is a 6'2" guard from Norcross, Georgia, which is about 30 minutes away from Atlanta. before coming to FGCU this season, he first played at the University of Central Florida (UCF) of the American Athletic Conference. When he started his freshman year there, Brandon had a small struggle in 28 games scoring only 3 ppg and snagging 1.9 rpg and 1.8 apg. Of course for most freshman players, it's not uncommon to get those jitters. Then when sophomore year hit for Brandon, things turned around for him. He managed to scoring 10.2 ppg, dishing 4.2 apg and a team-leading 1.9 spg. Currently this season he is not eligible to play because of the NCAA Transfer Rules, but he will make great strides for next season with FGCU.
The last transfer player here is another junior and when you meet Patson Siame face to face, he might at look intimidating because of his height, but he is a really a nice guy once you talk to him. Patson is a 6'11" forward from Luanshya, Zambia and is one of two foreigners on the team with Filip. Before transferring to FGCU, he first started playing for Loyola Marymount University (LMU) in the West Coast Conference. He didn't play his freshman year because he was serving in residence, but when his sophomore year hit, Patson finally saw some action. He averaged 5.7 ppg and 4 rpg last season that set the bar in his basketball career. Currently at the moment, Patson is redshirting because of the NCAA Transfer Rules, but once you see on the court he will dominate.
The next group of underclassmen are the true freshman on the team: Zach Johnson (guard), Reggie Reid (guard) and Rayjon Tucker (guard)
You might think that someone like Zach Johnson would not be fit choice for FGCU, but the saying that comes into play again "Looks can be deceiving". a 6'2" guard from Miami, Florida, Johnson can overcome many odds that fit the eye. He was originally suppose to play the start of his freshman year at FGCU, but had to medical redshirt, but before coming to FGCU, he played in high school for Norland High School in Miami. In RMF Magazine, he was rated as the no. 1 prospect in South Florida, no.8 prospect in Florida and was a 4 star recruit in the same outlet and the numbers show. During his senior year in high school, Zach averaged 14.8 ppg, 4.4 apg, 3.9 rpg and 2.2 spg and those numbers were so good that he was named FHSAA 6A All-State Team and the State Final 4 MVP and was a champion in 2013. This year, Zach will make plenty of impact for the team.
With just as much experience as Johnson, Reggie Reid is another player that is in good use for the team. A 5'11" guard from Harlem, Georgia, Reggie has experience to prove that he can make it worth while. As a player for Harlem High School, Reggie would nearly average a triple-double per game of 22 ppg, 9 rpg and 8.5 apg. As for awards with the team, he won the Region 3-AA Player of the year and a 2x Colombia County Player of the Year in Georgia during his freshman and sophomore years and was also selected as a Class 2A First Team All-State Selection. with those numbers, they will add up well for this year for Reggie.
From what I heard about this player is he is one of the best choices that FGCU has recruited and that is Rayjon Tucker. Rayjon is a 6'5" guard from Charlotte, North Carolina and his credentials show it. In the USA Today, he was named the no. 1 sleeper in the nation his senior year for early signing. FGCU was one of his choices he made for college basketball as well as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Baylor and South Carolina. As a player for Northside Christian Academy, Rayjon average 24 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks per game. He was also rated as a 4-Star recruit and a top 100 player in the nation during his senior year and led Northside to a state championship during his junior year. One interesting fact about Rayjon is his cousin, Jia Perkins, currently plays in the WNBA for San Antonio Stars; basically like Filip, basketball is in his blood too and he sure to spread that when he plays this year.
You think that the blog would end here, but there are other players that may have not played for a college basketball team. Those players would be mainly trying out for the team as a walk-on. there are 4 walk-on players that have tried out and made the team: Josh Ko (junior guard), Maxx Bleecher (freshman guard), Alvin Cunningham (junior guard) and Dolan Mahoney (freshman guard).
Josh Ko is the first walk-on to talk about. He is a 6'1" guard from Kailua, Hawaii. Before coming to FGCU, he actually played for the University of Pittsburgh of the Atlantic Coast Conference his freshman and sophomore years, although he only played a total of 15 games those 2 years. For this season, he has to redshirt due to the NCAA Transfer Rules, but will have 2 years of eligibility starting next year. I'll look forward to seeing him play next season and hopefully with him too.
Maxx Bleecher would also not seem like a fit for FGCU's Men's Basketball team, but that's where you wrong. A 6'2" guard from Boca Raton, Florida, Maxx played for West Boca Raton High School under head coach Steve Graves. During his senior year, Maxx led Palm Beach County in scoring averaging 24.9 ppg and scored 1000+ points overall. Those stats were so phenomenal that it earned him a selection for All-Palm Beach County First Team and All-Area Honorable Mention. Currently this season, he is eligible to play and does not have to redshirt this season and Maxx will make great strides for the team.
The next player on the team is Alvin Cunningham. Alvin is a 6'4" guard from St. Petersburg, Florida and he, just like Josh is a transfer student. Before coming to FGCU, he first started at Livingstone College, an NCAA Division 2 college in Salisbury, North Carolina hoping to play, but it didn't work out for him, so Alvin transferred over to Coastal Bend College, an NJCAA Region 14 junior college in Beville, Texas. There he averaged 4.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg and 0.6 apg. Currently, Alvin is eligible to play, although he is still young, he will make a big difference to help the team in any way possible.
The last, but never least player on the team is Dolan Mahoney. There is not much info I know about the 6'2" guard from my town I lived in since I was 9: Bradenton, Florida, but he will make a difference with FGCU. During his basketball career in high school, he first played at Bradenton Christian School and then played at the famous private athletic school in Florida, IMG Academy. Currently at the moment, he is eligible to play on the team and will also make a difference as a walk-on.
Meeting and greeting the Men's Basketball Team is a true blessing to do so. A quote from Cuban-American author Anaïs Nin says "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." I'm glad I'll be seeing each of them for this season and the other upcoming seasons during my time at FGCU. If anyone has never seen them, then you're missing out or you have to see them play, whether you are a current student, alumni or a supporter, from learning about their famous Cinderella story to the current players playing is something to talk about for a memorable moment and meeting the last active member of FGCU's Dunk City moment, Filip Cvjeticanin to meeting the current 4 star recruit, Rayjon Tucker is really something to enjoy in any way possible and hopefully when I try out for the team, it would be a memorable moment to play with the younger players, seeing that I make history as the oldest player and walk on to play for FGCU's Men's Basketball team. You never know what can happen when you try something you'd never tried before and always keep your minds open with what you try.
The last, but never least player on the team is Dolan Mahoney. There is not much info I know about the 6'2" guard from my town I lived in since I was 9: Bradenton, Florida, but he will make a difference with FGCU. During his basketball career in high school, he first played at Bradenton Christian School and then played at the famous private athletic school in Florida, IMG Academy. Currently at the moment, he is eligible to play on the team and will also make a difference as a walk-on.
Meeting and greeting the Men's Basketball Team is a true blessing to do so. A quote from Cuban-American author Anaïs Nin says "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." I'm glad I'll be seeing each of them for this season and the other upcoming seasons during my time at FGCU. If anyone has never seen them, then you're missing out or you have to see them play, whether you are a current student, alumni or a supporter, from learning about their famous Cinderella story to the current players playing is something to talk about for a memorable moment and meeting the last active member of FGCU's Dunk City moment, Filip Cvjeticanin to meeting the current 4 star recruit, Rayjon Tucker is really something to enjoy in any way possible and hopefully when I try out for the team, it would be a memorable moment to play with the younger players, seeing that I make history as the oldest player and walk on to play for FGCU's Men's Basketball team. You never know what can happen when you try something you'd never tried before and always keep your minds open with what you try.
